Cycling and health in Cambridgeshire - getting good policy
Formal policies on health, with mention of cycling, need to be improved as a way of providing an additional tool to be used in transport and planning.
This section lists issues - problems on the street network and related matters.
Issues always relate to some geographical location, whether very local or perhaps city-wide.
You can create a new issue using the button on the right.
Listed issues, most recent first:
Martin Lucas-Smith // 13 threads
Formal policies on health, with mention of cycling, need to be improved as a way of providing an additional tool to be used in transport and planning.
Martin Lucas-Smith // 33 threads
Collisions, 'accidents' and even occasional deaths involving cyclists remain an issue in Cambridge.
This Cyclescape issue is so we can collect the reports and debate approaches to tackling this issue through the media and through policy objectives.
There are a range of issues regarding cyclists breaking the law in Cambridge. This issue is intended as a container for strategic discussion of how this can be resolved.
There are of course many problems with drivers breaking the law, and discussions need to be in that context also, but this is issue is primarily for addressing the cycling side.
Created by Simon Nuttall // 5 threads
Cycle parking has long been a problem in the Romsey and Petersfield areas, mainly because of lack of proper provision.
Martin Lucas-Smith // 1 thread
The proposal is for demolition of the existing non residential language
school and replacement with new with on site accommodation for students. Cycle parking needs to be checked.
Martin Lucas-Smith // 1 thread
The Regent Street crossing has been upgraded. How are people finding it?
Martin Lucas-Smith // 1 thread
80-cycle prefab shed using sheffield stands, replaces 7 car spaces. Need to check the application and welcome it if this is as positive as it sounds.
Created by Heather Coleman // 2 threads
This is a planning application variation for 42 Fen Road, Milton. Application no (south cambs) is S/0756/12/VC
Permission had been given, but I noted as I passed the other day, that there was an application for a variation. Looking at this, one item seems to be to vary the "cycle storage".
From the description in Addendum to Design, Access & Herigage Statement in plans and docs:
I quote
"The bin / cycle store has been relocated and enlarged to allow for a tool shed. It was felt that
the proximity of the previous store to the proposed dwelling had an adverse impact on the
street scene and cluttered up the entrance area. By setting it back within the garden space it
was felt this would positively enhance the character of the area. Additionally, as a temporary
structure it is felt this would not have any more of an impact on the surrounding trees than
the current position of the bin store."
Or if you look at the map, the cycle "storage" (should that be parking?) now appears to be round the back end of the garden, and as a hedge is shown surrounding the car parked at the front of the property, I am at a loss as to how it would be at all convenient to ever get a bike out of this shed, rather than just getting into the car.
Of note is the fact that this proposed house is about 15 yards off NCN 11. In one direction*; this gives a virtually traffic-free route almost into Cambridge city centre or to Waterbeach railway station. In the other direction, NCN 11 heads through Milton Country Park, leading almost directly to the local Tesco superstore as well as to the Coston bridge, Science Park, Guided Busway. Thus, it could be possible to live an almost entirely car-free existence at this location.
*Fen Road is erroneously described as a cul-de-sac in the application. It is to motor vehicles, but is in fact a through route to the city centre for cycles and pedestrians.
From the 2004 South Cambs local plan
"To promote the use of more sustainable modes of transport, such as public transport,
walking and cycling by making such modes more accessible, safer and more attractive
to use.," and "To promote sustainable travel by ensuring new development takes place in highly
accessible locations."
" To limit the amount of car parking provided in new developments, where appropriate,
to reduce over-reliance on the car." "adopting on-site and/or off-site design features that promote
access by non-car modes as far as practicable (including
walking and cycling) and facilitate and encourage their use"
Of course there appears to be nothing about accessibility of cycle parking cf car parking, unlike the City Council local plan.
Is it worth putting in an objection? The publicity end date is 5th June.
Created by Gerhard Weiss // 1 thread
Walthamstow High Street has a busy market, which makes it near impossible to cycle. Outside market times it has 'no vehicles allowed' signs. Even in the middle of the night it is illegal to cycle trough he spooky quiet High Street.
There is virtually no cycle parking along the High street, only at the nodes. Provision is particularly poor in the middle by the Sainsbury supermarket.
Created by velocipedus@gmail.com // 2 threads
Access to and return journey from the Crematorium is a real challenge for the cyclist. Indeed, chances are you may end up in it if you try to ride your bike there.
Here we have a essential public service which is accessible by car only. Is this acceptable ?
These issues arise also if a convoy of bicycles was to accompany a coffin.
What is to be done?
http://www.cambridge.gov.uk/ccm/content/contact-us/council-buildings/crematorium.en
Created by David Earl // 1 thread
Application to build a bridge over the brook to provide rear foot/cycle access to the school.
Martin Lucas-Smith // 1 thread
Speeding can be a problem on Granchester Road.
Created by Rohan Wilson // 1 thread
Existing building to be rearranged internally for surgery and medical admin. There is locked-away cycle parking for staff (quantity not spec), but none proposed for patients/ visitors. See thread for Sustrans' objection.
Created by Rohan Wilson // 10 threads
Turnstone, a consortium, is hoping to build a new town, to be named Denny St Francis, adjacent to Waterbeach (the barracks site, plus). Like any large development, cycling conditions need to be good.
Converting one-way streets to two-way cycling has long been a Cambridge Cycling Campaign priority.
Progress has been made, with Hope Street being made into a two-way street with a no motor vehicles exemption at one end.
Now that Except Cycles signs under No Entry signs are permitted there is scope for extending this to Romsey Streets.
Created by Klaas Brümann // 1 thread
South Cam is working on a cycling project between Haslingfield and Grantchester, proposed by the Haslingfield Parish.
Martin Lucas-Smith // 1 thread
The Cambridge East development is in the 2006 Cambridge Local Plan and would have a big effect on cycling and traffic more generally in the area.
Martin Lucas-Smith // 1 thread
The City Council will be designating Sheep's Green & Coe Fen as a local nature reserve in 2012, in recognition of the site’s value for both wildlife and recreation.
As part of the process, a management plan has been prepared to establish a long-term vision for the site and to guide ongoing maintenance and habitat-restoration works.
They are seeking public comments on the draft plan, prior to formal adoption and designation of the site.
It is important that the proposals are scrutinised to check whether this will have any effects in the longer term on cycling and path improvements.
Martin Lucas-Smith // 1 thread
Now that the East Road gas works have finished, the road has been patched up, but in a very bumpy way. Although the tarmac is smooth, it is not at the same height as the original road so riding along is continually bumpy.
Created by Rohan Wilson // 1 thread
A further application following several rejections.
Planning application to demolish 32-38 Station Road and build two office blocks. This is a revised application.
Application is called 'Fifty & Sixty Station Road'.
Documents are completely inadequate for this listed building. I submitted this objection:
This comment is on behalf of Sustrans, the charity that’s enabling people to travel by foot, bike or public transport for more of the journeys we make every day.
The application form indicates that there is currently no cycle parking and that none is intended. This is unacceptable - the development must conform to the Council's standards in quantity, location and type.
There are insufficient graphic details on which to assess the application.
RW for Sustrans 3 May 2012
Created by Rohan Wilson // 0 threads
This comment is on behalf of Sustrans, the charity that’s enabling people to travel by foot, bike or public transport for more of the journeys we make every day.
We note that 3 Sheffield stands are shown within the cycle shelter - good provision for a site which is on the city's Signed Primary Cycle Network. It is important that they should not be installed too close to the rear wall, and that the spacing between each and between stands and side wall should meet the City Council's standards - see Cycle Parking Guide.
Only 3 bins are shown - is this acceptable, for recycling etc?
RW for Sustrans 3 May 2012
Objected.
This comment is on behalf of Sustrans, the charity that’s enabling people to travel by foot, bike or public transport for more of the journeys we make every day.
We are concerned that there may not be sufficient space in the rear "bikes and bins" (unattractive combination!) room. It is important that the Sheffield stands indicated should be installed as shown, and to park or remove a bike, rearward space is essential (See the City Council Cycle Parking Guide), adequate as drawn. But only five refuse bins are shown, one for each apartment. Normally each would need 3 bins (black, blue, green), for which there would clearly be insufficient space.
RW for Sustrans 3 May 2012
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The most popular issues, based on the number of votes:
Created by jpennycook // 1 thread
Request for a screening opinion for the erection of a motorway service area
Land At O/S Grid Ref 460946 147950 M3 Basingstoke Hampshire
Basingstoke
Application reference : 16/02767/ENSC
http://pad.basingstoke.gov.uk/DocumentViewer/?DocumentClassCode=DC&Folder1Reference=16/02767/ENSC
http://pad.basingstoke.gov.uk/documents/4753/01/09/91/01099199.PDF
http://pad.basingstoke.gov.uk/documents/4753/01/09/91/01099197.PDF
http://pad.basingstoke.gov.uk/documents/4753/01/10/05/01100568.PDF
The route through Verulamium Park towards the museum was built to substandard width. There is a considerable risk that this will cause conflict between walkers and cyclists.
Route widening is not due until the Green Ring is built in 2015.
STACC will campaign for widening of the route to begin as as soon as possible since we see no need to delay waiting for the Green Ring.
Resurfacing of the Alban Way begins in September 2013- this project draws upon Green Ring funding so why can't Green Ring funding be deployed now to widen the Ver Park route?
Created by Sefton // 1 thread
The Lovers Loan shared path through the Grange has at least 5 very tight barriers along its length, and missing dropped kerbs - especially at the crossing of Dick Place. Removing barriers or widening them would make it much more easy to use for bikes, buggies and wheelchairs. Even some double pushchairs don't fit!
Created by Chris Peck // 1 thread
A long, tortuous issue, where no progress has been made, despite large amounts of effort. Godalming High Street was recommended for adopting as a trial two-way working for cyclists in 2001, thanks to Alec McCalden's excellent presentation to the Planning Inspector at the time.
However, the trial was never carried out. Cyclists continue to use the street in both directions, as there are plenty of ways to get out of the way of oncoming cars.
The City of London has introduced dozens of contra-flow cycling schemes on narrow streets and lanes across the City. A third of all the cyclists are now using the contraflow. There has been 1 cycle crash three years post-introduction (there were 2 in the three years before). See here for more details: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/transport-institute/pdfs/Cheung_slides.pdf
Created by Charlie Halliday // 5 threads
Proposal to address Farnborough Town Action Plan reference CW39. Issue: Alexandra Road, safety, pedestrian and cycle links.
Consultation documents may be downloaded from:
http://www3.hants.gov.uk/transport-schemes-index/farnborough-alexandra-road.htm
They are also on view in the reception area at Rushmoor Borough Council Offices, Farnborough Road during the consultation period
Created by Anna Williams – Head of Campaigns & Engagement // 1 thread
St Neots is receiving some funding as part of the Future High Streets Fund - this could include investment in cycling and walking infrastructure.
Created by Anna Williams – Head of Campaigns & Engagement // 2 threads
Camcycle's time and energy is consistently taken up removing exclusionary barriers (e.g. Biomedical Campus, A14 active travel bridges, Warren Road). We need to consider long-term ways to prevent new barriers going in and remove existing ones which prevent people of all ages and abilities cycling.
Created by Fraser // 0 threads
Travelling along Fore Street from the East where it splits with Key Street there are several traffic calming patches and speed bumps that are difficult and dangerous to negotiate on a bike.
In particular the three sections of cobbles; as the street becomes one way just before Fore Street Pools, just before you cross Star Lane, and just after crossing Star Lane.
They are so ragged that as a cyclist you have to almost come to a stop, where as other road users can travel over them at ~20mph.
This makes them extremely dangerous as just after accelerating away from the traffic lights you then need to slow almost to a stop and weave your way through the cobbles while the traffic behind you is expecting to carry on and the street is too narrow for them to safely overtake.
The section of Fore Street between Star Lane and Eagle Street has better speed humps (still not great, but a dream compared with the above mentioned cobble sections!) with flat section at the sides so that bikes may pass them safely. However the flat sections are occasionally blocked by parked vehicles forcing cyclists over the speed humps.
The less said about the time it takes to negotiate these three sets of traffic lights the better!
Gallagher Estate, master planners of Orchard Park will soon hand over the highways for adoption by the County Council.
We won't be able to fix this car centric development, but within it there are many pavement cycleways, "cyclists dismount" signs, cul-de-sac signs and others which are wrong or don't apply. There are also issues with dropped kerbs etc.
I am looking for volunteers to audit Orchard Park, making a list of corrections we require before Gallaghers hands this project over.
Created by CycleSi // 2 threads
TfL are undertaking major junction improvements at several gyratory systems. All of them include protected cycle lanes/tracks, except Wandsworth!
The local London Cycle Campaign group is not campaigning and virtually defunct. We desperately need to organise local cyclists and campaigners all over London and beyond to challenge this bizarre scheme.
Oval, Vauxhall, Elephant & Castle, Stockwell, Archway, Aldgate, etc, etc are all getting extensive safe space for cycling.
TfL for some reason (I suspect the blame lies with the borough) have instead decided to claim that the awful shared footpaths and streets with no cycling infrastructure at all that have been designated as 'cycle routes' form part of a 'cycle network'. They are even planning to have Cycle Superhighway 8 run along Wandsworth High Street with not even a painted cycle lane - cyclists will be mixed in with extremely heavy bus traffic.
It seems like no-one is talking about this other than me!! Seriously-argh!!!!
Suggestions, ideas, offers to help campaign all welcome.
Created by Simon Nuttall // 1 thread
Is it legal or not to ride on either Christ's Lane or Milton's Walk ?
Always been a bit of a problem - worse for pedestrians than cyclists.
Detailed (re-)design is apparently underway.
Created by Colin Wing // 3 threads
This is the proposed route of Quietway 88 in Westminster. An alternative option uses the west side of Trafalgar Square instead of Cockspur Street.
Created by Simon Redding // 0 threads
The Jepson Road estate has great cycling infrastructure, but when you get to the west end of it, the path peters out and ends in a fence. Lots of cyclists then carry their bike over a fence and round the end of a culvert to Hartfield Close, but it would be better to just have a cycle gate in the fence straight on to Midland Terrace, which is likely to form part of NCN67 soon.
Created by Iain Lane // 2 threads
Press article in the post today: http://www.nottinghampost.com/Major-route-city-centre-overhauled-priority-buses/story-26177322-detail/story.html
Can't find plans just yet.
Since the changes to Mare St at Westgate St some vehicles travel past the children's centre in Triangle Road, at excessive speeds, to avoid the traffic light at Mare St . Can Hackney Council add a restriction in Triangle Road.
Created by Stephan Matthiesen // 1 thread
Cycle lanes in both directions needs urgent improvment. It's painted on but
- it is far too narrow, encouraging dangerous overtaking
- road surface in the gutter (=cycle lane) extremely bad, with deep&wide cracks, most covers have sunken etc.
- paint has faded
- parking (near the schools)
Many sections of Gilmerton Rd have hatching in the centre, wasting space; these sections would be wide enough for a segregated path (or wide lane protected by bollards/armadillos).
In the narrower sections, the existing bike lane should be removed completely because at the moment it increases the dangers (encouraging cyclists to be in the gutter between kerb and speeding cars).
Created by jennifer Kirner // 1 thread
I am bringing up the problem that cyclists and pedestrians have crossing East Road to get to ARU and the neighbouring residential area. It would be helpful have a discussion about how to create safe routes in this area and how to get them implemented.
When I am cycling, I find it dangerous and difficult to cross East Road from Petersfield or Bradmore Street and I resort to using the pedestrian crossings with my bike because it is.
This area that really needs addressing for improvements to safe cycling and I don’t understand why given the expansion of ARU this has not been addressed.
The junction of Mill Road/East Road is also pretty scary for cyclists and pedestrians. The crossing at the slip road at the corner of Petersfield is difficult for pedestrians because it has no traffic controls and cars come quickly round this corner making it dangerous for anyone who is not alert , who is not tall enough to see, or who can't move quickly. This includes the young, the old, someone in a wheelchair. I wouldn't fancy pushing a child in a buggy across either.
Basically, it seems to me that the Junction and East road are designed for motor vehicles and traffic flow not for pedestrians and cyclists. Can we try and address this?
Created by jpennycook // 1 thread
Erection of 40 dwellings to include 24 private homes and 16 affordable homes, associated parking, landscaping, amenity space and highway alterations
Land At Farleigh Road Farleigh Road Cliddesden Hampshire
Basingstoke
Application reference : 16/04690/FUL
Created by George Britton // 1 thread
Aldershot Urban Extension - Green Light from RBC
Created by Gregory Williams // 1 thread
Planning application Y12/0897/SH proposes the redevelopment of a significant portion Folkestone Harbour and surrounding land. The proposals include up to 1000 dwellings and up to 10000sqm of commercial landuse. NCR2 runs through the development area.
Created by jpennycook // 1 thread
15/04503/OUT | Outline application to include access to be considered, for up to 750 residential units with a mix of units, and a neighbourhood centre including principal community centre, private children's nursery, local retail facilities, indoor sports hall and three form entry primary school and ancillary development | Hounsome Fields Trenchard Lane Dummer Hampshire
Created by GG // 1 thread
For a long time I have wondered about a crowd-sourced cycleability map.
In this, people cycle along a link (accepting the first question of how to define the beginning and end of this) then give it a thumbs up or down. After enough people do this, then others can see how popular it is.
Some people wonder about subjectivity but I think this should be less of a problem with more voters.
The reason I am asking is because this method could apply to a potential commercial project for a Council which wants to drive around 100km of rural roads and use a panel of 4 experts to grade meaningful segments on a 1 to 7 scale according to their suitability for HGV movements.
Any views on whether this is already done within an app I am not aware of, or could be it done by anyone as an add-on to something else, or is it something CamCycle could offer as a commercial package (there may well be more than one local authority looking for this sort of thing)
POSSIBLE Cycle Route Between Lowedges Rd/Chesterfield Rd + Bradway Fire Station Sheffield S8........using existing 8ft wide pavements by upgrading to "shared use".........This could connect to the new cycling "on + off " road routes being developed in the Meadowhead School area
Created by Fonant // 0 threads
The current Promenade has "NO CYCLING" a few dozen yards before its western end, so cyclists have nowhere to go. The parallel road, especially Eirene Road, is dangerous and unpleasant for cycling, so many continue to ride along the footpath to Sea Lane.
There is plenty of room to widen the path, using concrete on top of the stable shingle. The same method could be used as was used to the east of Worthing some years ago.
This project has the full backing of local cyclists as their number-one priority in Worthing, and has local resident support too. It was included in WSCC's last LSTF bid document, which won them £2.36 million of funding from central government.
Can we just build it, please?